Srinagar, March 25, 2025 – In a significant move to alleviate financial burdens on the region’s poorest families, the Jammu and Kashmir government, under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has announced that households enrolled in the Antyodaya Anna Yojana will receive 200 units of free electricity per month. The initiative, unveiled as part of the Jammu and Kashmir Budget 2025-26 on March 7, 2025, integrates with the central government’s ambitious PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, aimed at promoting solar energy adoption nationwide.
The state’s budget, pegged at Rs 1.12 lakh crore, earmarks resources to install grid-connected rooftop solar systems for AAY households, ensuring they generate enough power to cover the promised 200 units. This effectively eliminates electricity bills for these families, identified as the most economically disadvantaged under the National Food Security Act. Chief Minister Abdullah, presenting his first full budget since taking office, emphasized the dual goals of sustainable energy and economic empowerment, stating, “This is a step towards ensuring dignity and relief for our most vulnerable citizens while embracing a cleaner energy future.”
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 13, 2024, the PM Surya Ghar Yojana seeks to provide up to 300 units of free electricity monthly to 1 crore households across India by March 2027. The scheme offers subsidies of up to Rs 78,000 for solar installations, a framework Jammu and Kashmir has adapted to prioritize its AAY population. As of mid-March 2025, over 10 lakh households nationwide have installed solar systems under the program, with Jammu and Kashmir making steady progress. In districts like Udhampur and Doda, 60 rooftop solar systems were reported operational by March 15, according to local officials.
During a recent Legislative Assembly session, the Power Development Department minister clarified that while no specific waivers exist for terminally ill patients or fishermen, the AAY category would be the focus of this relief. District Magistrate Harvinder Singh of Doda, reviewing the scheme’s rollout, highlighted its potential to address high electricity costs and financial barriers, noting, “For many families, this will be a game-changer.”
The initiative aligns with broader national efforts to transition to renewable energy while tackling poverty. With Jammu and Kashmir’s unique challenges—including its terrain and economic disparities—the government’s tailored approach underscores a commitment to leveraging central schemes for local impact. As the program expands, officials anticipate further installations in the coming months, bringing the Union Territory closer to its renewable energy and welfare targets.